Texans tight end Garrett Graham celebrates after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown pass during the first quarter.

Texans tight end Garrett Graham celebrates after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown pass during the first quarter.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

Image 50 of 59

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt lets out a yell before facing the Titans.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt lets out a yell before facing the Titans.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

Image 51 of 59

A giant American flag is displayed before the Texans home opener against the Tennessee Titans.

A giant American flag is displayed before the Texans home opener against the Tennessee Titans.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 52 of 59

Texans defensive end Antonio Smith takes the field before facing the Titans.

Texans defensive end Antonio Smith takes the field before facing the Titans.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 53 of 59

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is introduced before the Texans season opener against the Titans.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is introduced before the Texans season opener against the Titans.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 54 of 59

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt waits in the tunnel to take the field before facing the Tennessee Titans.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt waits in the tunnel to take the field before facing the Tennessee Titans.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 55 of 59

Texans player run onto the field before the home opener against the Tennessee Titans.

Texans player run onto the field before the home opener against the Tennessee Titans.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 56 of 59

Texans mascot Toro rappels from the top of the stadium as the 2012 AFC South Champions banner is unfurled before the game.

Texans mascot Toro rappels from the top of the stadium as the 2012 AFC South Champions banner is unfurled before the game.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 57 of 59

Texans mascot Toro prepares to rappel from the top of the stadium before the Texans season opener against the Tennessee Titans.

Texans mascot Toro prepares to rappel from the top of the stadium before the Texans season opener against the Tennessee Titans.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 58 of 59

A Texas flag is held by firefighters before the Texans home opener against the Titans.

A Texas flag is held by firefighters before the Texans home opener against the Titans.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 59 of 59

The Texans huddle before their home opener against the Titans.

The Texans huddle before their home opener against the Titans.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Brian Cushing's monster game paves way for Texans' defense

1 / 59

Back to Gallery

Brian Cushing’s unbridled joy was on unabashed display during and after the Texans’ gripping overtime victory over Tennessee Sunday. Cushing the warrior linebacker couldn’t have treated the Titans with less compassion, but nor could he have cradled his infant son, Cayden, with more affection while answering questions about the carnage he’d inflicted during office hours.

The little fellow, who turns 1 next month, felt supremely safe in daddy’s gentle hands. He has no idea yet how grumpy Cush gets after he straps on a football helmet.

The Titans do, though.

“I’m a hungry football player,” Cushing said, reflecting on his career-high 11 unassisted tackles – four for lost yardage – and career-high two sacks. “I want to make all the plays. I want to make all the tackles. The best ones do that kind of stuff. It motivates me and it helps the team. When I play better, we play better as a team.”

The Texans’ first draft pick in 2009, who became the AFC’s Defensive Rookie-of-the-Year that season, has been hungry since he started playing in the Pop Warner league. But two games into the second chapter of his professional career, which was rudely interrupted by a ruptured ACL 49 weeks ago, Cushing has found another gear physically and a higher plane metaphysically.

To be sure, the six-year, $52.6 million contract extension he signed the week before the season started is part of it. That told him everything he needed to know about the Texans’ commitment to him, and he was certain to give his all, and then some, reciprocating.

“I put a lot of training in to be better than I ever was before,” he said. “I feel like I am. I appreciate (football) more than I ever have before. I appreciate being back. It’s so much fun being back out there. I had to through almost a whole season of just watching. Now, I want to be an impact player on every play.”

Six nights before in San Diego, his first career pick-six on a remarkable second effort pulled the Texans back to even in what had looked like a lost-cause effort – much like Sunday’s. Against the Titans he was seemingly everywhere on every play, a mad man among boys. He made six solo stops in the second quarter alone. He’d exceeded his nine first-half tackles in only two previous games.

And he’d have collected an even dozen on the day if the play early in the fourth quarter on which he blown Chris Johnson a yard straight backward at the Titans’ 3 hadn’t been nullified by Jake Locker’s delay-of-game penalty. But it didn’t matter. On the next snap, Joe Mays followed Cushing’s lead and dropped Johnson in the end zone for a safety.

Was Mays inspired? Of course he was. You can’t play with Brian Cushing and not feed off his passion.

“Cush played amazing today,” the Texans’ other inside linebacker, Darryl Sharpton, said. “He looked like the Cush everyone knows him to be. You could tell he was playing with a lot of aggression, and a lot of confidence.”

Added fellow “Bash Brother” J. J. Watt: “He’s playing great ball. It’s very nice to have him back out there. I can tell you that much.”

These are the best of times for Cushing, coming on the heels of the darkest period of his life. Deprived of football, he has said he would have despaired if hadn’t been for Cayden’s birth, a week after he went down against the Jets.

The hard stuff is behind him. Now, it’s about evening out the Texans’ performance from one series to the next. As the defensive captain and co-spiritual leader with Watt, he needs to figure out why they can run up a suffocating string of three-and-outs – they held the Titans without a first down on 10 possessions – but also surrender 80- and 99-yard touchdown drives.

“It was a sickening feeling to let them drive down and get the lead (on the latter),” he said. “But we didn’t quit. It shows so much character to come back and get the touchdown, then the two-point conversion and head into overtime and win the game. It shows we can win in any kind of fashion. It was an unbelievable game. We didn’t play up to our capabilities in the first half, but we’re finding ways to win. That’s the biggest thing.

“I don’t know why (the inconsistency) is happening because it’s so early in the season. We’re showing glimpses of greatness but also glimpses of not-so-good football. We need to figure out how we’re playing well when we’re playing well and do that all the time.”

Coming off his suspension, Antonio Smith was playing with Cushing for the only time in almost a year except when they were briefly on the field together in the second preseason game. Smith pronounced him back – and then some.

“I told you he was going to be like a Mega-Cush this year,” he said. “I think he’s going to get better and better because he’s getting back acclimated to the game and knocking the cobwebs off.”

Photo: Karen Warren / Chronicle

Image 1of/26

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 26

<center><strong>Titans lead series, 15-10</strong></center>
It's always a battle and sometimes a slugfest when the Texans face off against the Titans. Take a look back at how the series between AFC South foes has unfolded over the years. less

<center><strong>Titans lead series, 15-10</strong></center>
It's always a battle and sometimes a slugfest when the Texans face off against the Titans. Take a look back at how the series between AFC South ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Chronicle

Image 2 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 17, Texans 10</strong>
Nov. 10, 2002</center>
In the first-ever meeting, Tennessee got the best of the Texans thanks to a pair of Steve McNair touchdown passes, including this one to Derrick Mason. less

<center><strong>Titans 17, Texans 10</strong>
Nov. 10, 2002</center>
In the first-ever meeting, Tennessee got the best of the Texans thanks to a pair of Steve McNair touchdown passes, including this one to ... more

Photo: Christobal Perez / Chronicle

Image 3 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 13, Texans 3</strong>
Dec. 29, 2002</center>
David Carr passed for 214 yards, but he was sacked three times and the run game managed just 28 yards in the inaugural season-ending loss. less

<center><strong>Titans 13, Texans 3</strong>
Dec. 29, 2002</center>
David Carr passed for 214 yards, but he was sacked three times and the run game managed just 28 yards in the inaugural season-ending ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle

Image 4 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 38, Texans 17</strong>
Oct. 12, 2003</center>
Steve McNair passed for 421 yards and three touchdowns, besting a 371-yard passing day from David Carr, as the former Oilers remained unbeaten against the Texans. less

<center><strong>Titans 38, Texans 17</strong>
Oct. 12, 2003</center>
Steve McNair passed for 421 yards and three touchdowns, besting a 371-yard passing day from David Carr, as the former Oilers remained ... more

Photo: Christobal Perez / Chronicle

Image 5 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 27, Texans 24</strong>
Dec. 21, 2003</center>
Rookie Andre Johnson had five catches for 108 yards and the Texans had a fourth-quarter lead until Steve McNair hooked up with Drew Bennett for the game-winning score with 17 seconds left. less

<center><strong>Titans 27, Texans 24</strong>
Dec. 21, 2003</center>
Rookie Andre Johnson had five catches for 108 yards and the Texans had a fourth-quarter lead until Steve McNair hooked up with Drew ... more

Photo: Josh Merwin / Chronicle

Image 6 of 26

<center><strong>Texans 20, Titans 10</strong>
Oct. 17, 2004</center>
The Texans notch their first win in the series as David Carr passes for 266 yards and a touchdown and Jonathan Wells rushes for 73 yards and caps the victory with a late TD. less

<center><strong>Texans 20, Titans 10</strong>
Oct. 17, 2004</center>
The Texans notch their first win in the series as David Carr passes for 266 yards and a touchdown and Jonathan Wells rushes for 73 yards ... more

Photo: Andrew Innerarity / Chronicle

Image 7 of 26

<center><strong>Texans 31, Titans 21</strong>
Nov. 28, 2004</center>
The Texans overcome a 14-0 first quarter hole to sweep the season series. Domanick Williams rushes for 129 yards and a touchdown in the win. less

<center><strong>Texans 31, Titans 21</strong>
Nov. 28, 2004</center>
The Texans overcome a 14-0 first quarter hole to sweep the season series. Domanick Williams rushes for 129 yards and a touchdown in the ... more

Photo: Carlos Javier Sanchez / Chronicle

Image 8 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 34, Texans 20</strong>
Oct. 9, 2005</center>
David Carr is sacked seven times and the offense can't find the end zone until it's way too late (less than 2 minutes remain in the game when Carr finds Corey Bradford for the one and only touchdown). Domanick Williams is the lone bright spot for the Texans, racking up 130 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards - both team highs. less

<center><strong>Titans 34, Texans 20</strong>
Oct. 9, 2005</center>
David Carr is sacked seven times and the offense can't find the end zone until it's way too late (less than 2 minutes remain in the game ... more

Photo: BRETT COOMER / HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Image 9 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 13, Texans 10</strong>
Dec. 11, 2005</center>
David Carr is sacked six times and the Texans are shut out in the second half as Adam "Pacman" Jones' 52-yard punt return in the third quarter ties the game and Rob Bironas' 23-yard field goal with 10 seconds left gives the Titans the win. less

<center><strong>Titans 13, Texans 10</strong>
Dec. 11, 2005</center>
David Carr is sacked six times and the Texans are shut out in the second half as Adam "Pacman" Jones' 52-yard punt return in the third ... more

Photo: BRETT COOMER / HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Image 10 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 28, Texans 22</strong>
Oct. 29, 2006</center>
Vince Young makes his first start against the Texans and shows them what they missed out on in the draft as he leads the Titans in rushing (44 yards and a TD) and also tacks on a passing TD in the win. Mario Williams notches a sack, David Carr leaves the game with an injury and Adam "Pacman" Jones takes a punt 53 yards to the house. less

<center><strong>Titans 28, Texans 22</strong>
Oct. 29, 2006</center>
Vince Young makes his first start against the Texans and shows them what they missed out on in the draft as he leads the Titans in ... more

Photo: BRETT COOMER / HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Image 11 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 26, Texans 20 (OT)</strong>
Dec. 10, 2006</center>
In one of the more memorable games in the AFC South rivalry, Vince Young once again showed the Texans what they missed out on in the draft by ending the game in overtime with a 39-yard TD scamper. less

<center><strong>Titans 26, Texans 20 (OT)</strong>
Dec. 10, 2006</center>
In one of the more memorable games in the AFC South rivalry, Vince Young once again showed the Texans what they missed out on in ... more

Photo: BRETT COOMER / HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Image 12 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 38, Texans 36</strong>
Oct. 21, 2007</center>
Another memorable matchup as the Texans take a late 36-35 lead with :53 remaining in the game with backup QB Sage Rosenfels' (Matt Schaub was injured in the game) 53-yard pass to Andre Davis, only to allow the Titans to march down the field and kick a field goal as time expires for the win. less

<center><strong>Titans 38, Texans 36</strong>
Oct. 21, 2007</center>
Another memorable matchup as the Texans take a late 36-35 lead with :53 remaining in the game with backup QB Sage Rosenfels' (Matt ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

Image 13 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 28, Texans 20</strong>
Dec. 2, 2007</center>
Matt Schaub is injured for the second consecutive game against the Titans and Vince Young takes his record to 3-0 as a starter against his hometown team. less

<center><strong>Titans 28, Texans 20</strong>
Dec. 2, 2007</center>
Matt Schaub is injured for the second consecutive game against the Titans and Vince Young takes his record to 3-0 as a starter against ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

Image 14 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 31, Texans 12</strong>
Sept. 21, 2008</center>
Matt Schaub throws three interceptions and is sacked three times as the Texans aren't able to get anything going on the offensive side of the ball. Lendale White and Kerry Collins carry the Titans to victory. less

<center><strong>Titans 31, Texans 12</strong>
Sept. 21, 2008</center>
Matt Schaub throws three interceptions and is sacked three times as the Texans aren't able to get anything going on the offensive side ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

Image 15 of 26

<center><strong>Texans 13, Titans 12</strong>
Dec. 14, 2008</center>
Despite being shut out in the second half, Houston's Andre Johnson notches 11 catches for 207 yards and a score as the Texans hold off the Titans' late surge for the win. less

<center><strong>Texans 13, Titans 12</strong>
Dec. 14, 2008</center>
Despite being shut out in the second half, Houston's Andre Johnson notches 11 catches for 207 yards and a score as the Texans hold off ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

Image 16 of 26

<center><strong>Texans 34, Titans 31</strong>
Sept. 20, 2009</center>
Andre Johnson grabs 10 catches for 149 yards and 2 TDs to hold off big-play Chris Johnson (16 carries for 197 and 2 TDs - including 57 and 91-yard TD runs) and the Titans for the win. Kris Brown's fourth-quarter field goal with 2:55 left in the game breaks a 31-31 tie to seal the deal. less

<center><strong>Titans 20, Texans 17</strong>
Nov. 23, 2009</center>
Vince Young does it again for the Titans as Rob Bironas' 53-yard field goal with :47 left in the game seals the Texans' fate. Matt Schaub was sacked four times, but also threw for over 300 yards and two scores. less

<center><strong>Titans 20, Texans 17</strong>
Nov. 23, 2009</center>
Vince Young does it again for the Titans as Rob Bironas' 53-yard field goal with :47 left in the game seals the Texans' fate. Matt ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

Image 18 of 26

<center><strong>Texans 20, Titans 0</strong>
Nov. 28, 2010</center>
While this game is memorable for the Andre Johnson - Cortland Finnigan fight, it is also the only shutout in the rivalry's history and the Texans were utterly dominant while holding the Titans (with Rusty Smith at the helm) to 162 yards of total offense. less

<center><strong>Texans 20, Titans 0</strong>
Nov. 28, 2010</center>
While this game is memorable for the Andre Johnson - Cortland Finnigan fight, it is also the only shutout in the rivalry's history and ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Chronicle

Image 19 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 31, Texans 17</strong>
Dec. 19, 2010</center>
The Texans' run game was absent in this one as Arian Foster and Derrick Ward combined for 17 carries for 30 yards. The Titans' Chris Johnson breaks 100 yards, again, while Matt Schaub is sacked four times, again, while throwing for over 300 yards and two TDs. less

<center><strong>Titans 31, Texans 17</strong>
Dec. 19, 2010</center>
The Texans' run game was absent in this one as Arian Foster and Derrick Ward combined for 17 carries for 30 yards. The Titans' Chris ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

Image 20 of 26

<center><strong>Texans 41, Titans 7</strong>
Oct. 23, 2011</center>
In arguably one of Arian Foster's best games (115 yards rushing and 119 yards receiving including a 78-yard catch and run in the second quarter), the Texans handled the Titans easily in the 34-point rout in Nashville. less

<center><strong>Texans 41, Titans 7</strong>
Oct. 23, 2011</center>
In arguably one of Arian Foster's best games (115 yards rushing and 119 yards receiving including a 78-yard catch and run in the second ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

Image 21 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 23, Texans 22</strong>
Jan. 1, 2012</center>
With the playoffs locked up in the final week of the regular season, Gary Kubiak chose to go for two when the Texans scored with 14 seconds left in the game. The conversion failed and the Titans won. less

<center><strong>Titans 23, Texans 22</strong>
Jan. 1, 2012</center>
With the playoffs locked up in the final week of the regular season, Gary Kubiak chose to go for two when the Texans scored with 14 ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

Image 22 of 26

<center><strong>Texans 38, Titans 14</strong>
Sept. 30, 2012</center>
The Texans jump out on the Titans early - and never look back as the offense (297 yards, 3 TDs and 0 turnovers) and defense (4 sacks, 4 turnovers and 2 touchdowns) were working in synch. less

<center><strong>Texans 38, Titans 14</strong>
Sept. 30, 2012</center>
The Texans jump out on the Titans early - and never look back as the offense (297 yards, 3 TDs and 0 turnovers) and defense (4 sacks, 4 ... more

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

Image 23 of 26

<center><strong>Texans 24, Titans 10</strong>
Dec. 2, 2012</center>
The Texans' defense picks off Jake Locker three times, sacks him 6 times and also collects 3 fumble recoveries against the Titans while the offense takes care of the ball (zero turnovers) and the clock. less

<center><strong>Texans 24, Titans 10</strong>
Dec. 2, 2012</center>
The Texans' defense picks off Jake Locker three times, sacks him 6 times and also collects 3 fumble recoveries against the Titans while ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

Image 24 of 26

<center><strong>Texans 30, Titans 24 (OT)</strong>
Sept. 15, 2013</center
The Texans overcome a 24-16 deficit in the final minutes of regulation to force overtime. In the extra session, rookie receiver DeAndre Hopkins scores the game-winning touchdown on a 3-yard pass from Matt Schaub. Hopkins had 7 catches for 117 yards in his home debut. less

<center><strong>Texans 30, Titans 24 (OT)</strong>
Sept. 15, 2013</center
The Texans overcome a 24-16 deficit in the final minutes of regulation to force overtime. In the extra session, rookie receiver ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

Image 25 of 26

<center><strong>Titans 16, Texans 10</strong>
Dec. 29, 2013</center>
In what was his final game with the Texans, quarterback Matt Schaub threw two interceptions in the season-ending loss. less

<center><strong>Titans 16, Texans 10</strong>
Dec. 29, 2013</center>
In what was his final game with the Texans, quarterback Matt Schaub threw two interceptions in the season-ending ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

Image 26 of 26

<center><strong>Texans 30, Titans 16</strong>
Oct. 26, 2014</center>
Arian Foster feasted on the Titans as he rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns and he had four catches for 22 yards and another score through the air. less

<center><strong>Texans 30, Titans 16</strong>
Oct. 26, 2014</center>
Arian Foster feasted on the Titans as he rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns and he had four catches for 22 yards and another score ... more